Now that you mention it, French cleats and other rail-based mounting solutions were on the table at some point. I discarded the idea because I thought it couldn't be made to work with the shifted center of gravity (I didn't have a solution in mind at that time). Well, I took an informative detour there.
Cross-grain construction is a new topic to me, thank you! I will take a look.
Agree that the aluminium extrusion is not necessary to achieve the look. The other, more ambitious living room lamp that I had thought about first would have required it, so it was a good opportunity to try out this material anyway.
Based on the other comments, I see the unconventional design gets people riled up. Didn't know it was possible to build lamps in the wrong way, hahahaha.
It is SO hard to make things (as someone who also dabbles in wood). It looks awesome, has exactly the light patterns you want, and doesn't make an audible buzz - awesome!
And you've also learned something about aluminum extrusions!
For sure.
My mental model when starting this project was "panels attached to a frame", and originally, that paneling was meant to be purely Plexiglas. When I pivoted to the bedroom lamp, I switched to wooden panels but the mental model stuck. The upside of not using glue is that it can be taken apart easily for transporting.
But yes, do not build it this way if cost efficiency is a factor.
Now that you mention it, French cleats and other rail-based mounting solutions were on the table at some point. I discarded the idea because I thought it couldn't be made to work with the shifted center of gravity (I didn't have a solution in mind at that time). Well, I took an informative detour there.
Cross-grain construction is a new topic to me, thank you! I will take a look.